SSG James Calvin Stee, 54, MNNG, Zumbrota, MN, 26, 27 FEB 10



Visitation - Friday, Feb 26, 2010

We had 9 members throughout the evening of Friday, February 26. The MN Patriot Guard assembled before the family was to arrive for a private visitation and ceremony from the Masonic Lodge of Rochester, MN. We had members arrive when they could, and most stayed until the visitation was complete at 8:00 pm.

Funeral and Internment - Saturday, Feb 27, 2010

Saturday's mission started as a cool, brisk. sunny day and stayed that way until our mission was complete. We had 34 members sign in at our pre-ride briefing. We had members as far away as the Alexandria Sector make it down for this mission. Several of our members where also close, personal friends with SSG Stee. After the mission briefing was given, we where escorted by the Zumbrota Police Department to United Redeemer Lutheran Church of Zumbrota, MN. Once on-site, our members formed a flagline along the south side of the church, which ran along all three church entrances. SSG Stee's Harley Davidson Army Addition was in front of the church upon our arrival. We held our flagline as many friends, family, local honor guards, and current and former military entered the church for what was to be a very touching memorial for a man who dedicated his life to our country's military. SSG Stee had 36 years in the military and was to retire in March of this year. SSG Stee was a part of the evacuation of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War with the Air Force. After his discharge from the Air Force, SSG Stee joined the MN National Guard, where he had two deployments in Iraq. SSG Stee's first deployment was with the 34th ID Red Bulls and his second tour was with the 834th Aviation Unit. Before the service began, SE Metro RC Rick Williams, who served with SSG Stee in Iraq, and myself presented a plaque and challenge coin to SSG Stee's mother. She expressed her thanks for us being there for her son. Once the service began, the funeral director came outside with programs for each of our members. The MN Patriot Guard was at both Welcome Homes when SSG Stee returned from his deployments in Iraq. He was so touched by this that, although SSG Stee never registered as an official member of the MN Patriot Guard, he rode on several of our missions. SSG Stee definitely understood what the MN Patriot Guard is all about, Honor, Dignity, and Respect.

We loaded up our vehicles and where once again escorted by the Zumbrota Police Department to the Zumbrota Community Cemetery, just north of town. Upon our arrival at the cemetery entrance, we noticed a silhouette sculpture of a soldier on one knee in front of a cross. This was a very nice touch added by SSG Stee's brother, Jon Stee. We circled around the cemetery and parked in a distant corner so as to not interfere with the families arrival or departure upon the completion of the internment. We assembled our flagline along 2 sides of the internment site, with a nice breeze to our faces to keep our flags at attention. Shortly after our flagline was formed, the funeral procession, lead by SSG Stee's Harley Davidson proceeded into the cemetery. SSG was an avid smoker. His ashes where placed in an ammo box, along with a Zippo and a few packs of cigarettes. Due to the cold weather, the internment went fairly quickly, with the Army Honor Guard presenting the American Flag to SSG Stee's Mother and the Mazeppa Honor Guard presenting Honors and Taps.

Upon the families departure, we departed the cemetery and any of our members gathered at the Covered Bridge Bar & Restaurant, where we had a chance to talk with many of SSG Stee's fellow soldiers and friends. We received many thank you's, and returned the thanks for allowing us to show our Honor, Dignity, and Respect for SSG James Calvin Stee. When I was leaving the Covered Bridge, SSG Stee's mother had just arrived. She quietly made the comment that someone had slipped another pack of cigarettes into SSG Stee's boots. What a great way to end the day!

I would like to say thank you to all our members that made the trip to Zumbrota on Friday and Saturday. Without our members, the MN Patriot Guard could not do what we do. So again, Thank You.

(@) Obituary

(@) PGR National Thread

Craig Ugland
Senior Ride Captain - Southern MN
Ride Captain - Rochester Sector
MN Patriot Guard
Patriot Guard Riders